BUJUMBURA July 15th (ABP) – The leader of the cooperative for the change of mentalities called “Ntawutoterimbere”, Mr. Evariste Bizimana, calls on small traders to team up in associations to develop, he told a check by ABP on Tuesday July 13 in an interview.
Mr. Bizimana said that membership in cooperatives plays an important role in the life of a trader.
He said that the main goal of the “Ntawutoterimbere” cooperative is to bring together small traders in associations to support them in development.
The “Ntawutoterimbere” cooperative was founded by 50 traders who decided to come together. They each contributed an amount of 250,000 BIF to have a capital of 10,000,000 BIF. They settled in the Kamenge zone, Ntahangwa commune.
According to Mr. Bizimana, the cooperative already has 40 groups of small traders. Each group is made up of 25 members and has a leader to supervise them.
In addition, each member of the group must pay 500 BIF per month for the fund, and pay the contribution of 5000 BIF per month. The membership fee is 1000 BIF for a new member.
That cooperative has taken a step forward, Mr. Bizimana said. He added that their cooperative has already started raising 500 pigs in the Ngagara quarter. “We have hired young people to feed these pigs,” he said, indicating that this helps reduce unemployment. They also grew beans and maize in Karusi province.
The leaders of those groups are required to draw up reports to be sent to the representation of the cooperative, said Mr. Bizimana, noting that on the authorization of the Bank of the Republic of Burundi (BRB), the members of that cooperative pay their money in the latter’s account. Members thus have the right to take a loan from the cooperative.
Mr. Bizimana is delighted that with that cooperative he is able to meet the needs of his family. He makes a strong appeal to traders to join associations or cooperatives to put ideas together for their self-development.